Advent Daily Devotional - Jesus: The Way, the Truth and the Life
Day 15 – Sunday, December 17
“‘No, we don’t know, Lord,’ Thomas said. ‘We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?’
Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” — John 14:5-6, New Living Translation
Today’s Reading:John 14
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On Passover night, the disciples joined Jesus for what would be their last meal with him before He died. Jesus told His disciples that He was going away so He could prepare a place for them. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me,” He said.
For three years they had watched Jesus perform miracles, and they had listened to Him teach the crowds and confound religious leaders. They had looked forward to standing beside Him as He ushered in His kingdom on earth, where He would rule once and for all. And now He was leaving them?
Confused, Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going? Why can’t we come?” Peter even offered to die with Jesus. That’s when Jesus told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times that night.
Then Thomas, equally puzzled, said, “We don’t know where You are going. How can we know the way?” Up to that point, the disciples had followed Jesus wherever He went. They knew the way because Jesus showed it to them.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.” Jesus said He and the Father were the same. If they had seen Him, they had seen the Father, further solidifying Jesus’ divine nature.
Jesus invited the disciples to trust Him instead of fearing for their future without Him. He promised to be their way, guiding them through the most painful parts of their lives, especially in the days to come. He promised to be the truth they would need to anchor their souls during troubled times. He promised to be their life by giving them courage when they couldn’t find the strength to keep going. He made these promises and told them no one can come to the Father except through Him.
They learned that Jesus would send a helper, the Holy Spirit, to live in them, regardless of where they were. When they didn’t know what to do next, the Holy Spirit would guide them. When they were afraid, He would comfort them. Jesus promised they could ask for what they needed in His name and receive it.
The promises Jesus made to the disciples that night are true for you today. Trust the Holy Spirit to be your way, leading you through the hardships you’re facing. Thank Him for being your unchanging truth, and for being your source of life.
On days when it can be difficult to find your next breath, ask the Holy Spirit to show you the way through your troubles. Trust Him to show you something truthful that you can be thankful for. Give thanks to Him, even if you don’t yet know the outcome. Allow Him to be your way, your truth and your life.
Reflect:How can you trust the Holy Spirit to be your way, truth and life as you face today?
Have you trusted Jesus to lead you to the Father?
Pray:Thank You, Jesus, that when I don’t know what’s ahead of me, You do. Thank You for being my way to the Father, for showing me the truth and for being my life. Cause me to trust You even when life is hard.
A Deeper Dive
Is Jesus the only way to God? Read more about what makes Christianity different.
Anne Marie Winz has been a staff member with Cru for a long time. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading good books and talking with her girlfriends. She’s married to the amazing Mark Winz.
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